Who was interested, but did not attend?

For U.S. adults who said they did not attend any exhibit or live music, drama, or theater performance in the last 12 months, the GSS then asked:

During the last 12 months, was there a performance or exhibit that you wanted to go to, but did not?

Those who answered "yes" are our interested non-attendees. You can explore the demographics of these individuals, using the dropdown menus below.

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Demographic

Overall, there were no significant differences by age in the share of U.S. adults who expressed they were interested in attending the arts, but who ultimately did not attend within the past 12 months.

Respondents in households with one or more children under age 6 were more frequently interested non-attendees than those in households with no young children.

Women were slightly more likely than men to say there was at least one performance they had interest in, but ultimately did not attend. There was no significant difference by gender in interested non-attendance for art exhibits.

Lack of time or work commitments were the most frequent barrier mentioned by interested non-attendees, overall. Difficulty getting to the exhibit or performance location was likewise a frequent concern, but for performances, high cost was much more often a barrier.

African-Americans or other Blacks, non-Hispanics, and Hispanics of Mexican origin were more likely than other U.S. adults to say they were interested in but ultimately did not attend a live performing arts event.

Overall, there were no significant differences by age in the share of U.S. adults who expressed they were interested in attending the arts, but who ultimately did not attend within the past 12 months.

Respondents in households with one or more children under age 6 were more frequently interested non-attendees than those in households with no young children.

Women were slightly more likely than men to say there was at least one performance they had interest in, but ultimately did not attend. There was no significant difference by gender in interested non-attendance for art exhibits.

Lack of time or work commitments were the most frequent barrier mentioned by interested non-attendees, overall. Difficulty getting to the exhibit or performance location was likewise a frequent concern, but for performances, high cost was much more often a barrier.

Overall, there were no significant differences by age in the share of U.S. adults who expressed they were interested in attending the arts, but who ultimately did not attend within the past 12 months.

Respondents in households with one or more children under age 6 were more frequently interested non-attendees than those in households with no young children.

Women were slightly more likely than men to say there was at least one performance they had interest in, but ultimately did not attend. There was no significant difference by gender in interested non-attendance for art exhibits.

Lack of time or work commitments were the most frequent barrier mentioned by interested non-attendees, overall. Difficulty getting to the exhibit or performance location was likewise a frequent concern, but for performances, high cost was much more often a barrier.

African-Americans or other Blacks, non-Hispanics, and Hispanics of Mexican origin were more likely than other U.S. adults to say they were interested in but ultimately did not attend a live performing arts event.